OFF THE TOP

THE reasons for using surface or topwater lures over other presentations are quite varied, but most anglers will use them when they can, because a strike on the surface from a fired up fish is very exciting.

Of course, there’s more to topwater fishing than flicking out a lure and hoping for the best! Conditions have to be right for fish to be feeding actively on the surface and the size and style of lure also needs to match what the fish are feeding on. Once these basics are well understood, topwater lure fishing becomes a reliable and fun option.

WHEN TO USE SURFACE LURES

Typically, the warmer months of spring and summer sees most fish feeding higher in the water column. Warm weather triggers increased activity in bite-size animals and insects which are a primary food source for many freshwater fish. Along the coast, baitfish from the north follow the